Portable stand



June 21, 1932. J. 1.. LUFKIN PORTABLE STAND Filed May 19, 1928 11v VENTOR UF'K/M TTORNE Y Z2 III I 7 1 Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES JOHN L. LUFKIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PORTABLE STAND gpplication filed May 19,

Alongside of excavations and obstructions on highways and other places accessible to the public it is generally necessary for safety, and sometimes required by law, to place warning signals or markers. Common signals are a red flag or a peculiarly painted post or both, with a red light at night. The present invention is directed to portable stands for this and similar uses.

The accompanying drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 is an elevation, showing the flag carried in the stand.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a lantern in use, with the flag housed.

Fig. 3 is a plan of the same partly in section.

Fig. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, with the stand ready to be moved.

Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical sectional views of an alternative construction.

A column or mast 1 is made of a length of pipe threaded at both ends and having its lower end screwed into a casing comprising a hub 2 with ears 3 extending outward therefrom. In each pair of ears there is carried an extension foot 4 the inner end of which has a slot 5 embracing a pivot 6 carried by the ears. A spring 7 within the slot bears against the pin and tends to push each foot inward toward the center of the hub 2. The latter is formed with slots 8 into which the ends of the feet 4 fit. The slots extend upward towards the center so that the foot when carried therein will assume the slightly angular position shown in Fig. 1 and provide an extended base supporting the column.

When the stand is to be shifted to another point the feet are arranged to fold up close to the column as shown in the dotted lines. Each foot will be pulled out of its socket 8 against the resistance of the spring 7 to a sufiicient distance permitting it to swing about the pivot to the upright position shown. In this position the spring will press the foot 1928. Serial No. 278,932.

downward so that its edge will be placed I ward.

The upper end of the column is internally threaded to receive a cap 9 which is in the form of a nipple with a bifurcated'extension 10 at oneendfor carryinga'lantern hook and a socketll at the other-end for carrying the flag pole. In extension 10 the lantern'hook 12 is mounted having a slot 13 embracing the pivot pinll and a spring 15. The action of this spring is similar to that of the springs which lockthefeet of the stand. Theflat iron bar which constitutes-the hook may be set in an upright position with the-spring pressing its lower end down into a socket in the extension 10 so'as to hold it in position. Or it may. bepulled up out of the socket and swung to the horizontal position for supporting the lantern, the spring holding its lower edge'across the top of the socket so as to lock itin this position. Fig. 1 shows the flag pole 16 carrying the flag 17 at its upper end and having its lower end fixed in the'socket 11,'the cap being inverted from the position of Fig. land the hook 12vbeing'concealed within the hollow colurhnQ Fig. 2 shows the capinthe same position as in Fig. 4 with a lantern 18 suspended from'the hook. In this position the flag will bewrapped tightly about thepole and withthe pole will be: concealed in the hollow column. 1 The pole is of small. diameter so that after the 'flag is. wrapped around it itcan be easily introduced into the column. According to Figs. :5 and 6 the'column 1 is externally threaded, atthe upper-endand fitted with-a coupling 19 on which isc'a'st a hook 20 'for supporting the lantern. In the upper end'of the coupling. there is a threaded disk 21 which is fastened on the endlof' a small pipe 22 designed .toconstitute ,3 L handle andalso asocketfor the flag pole 16 and having a cap 23 screwed o'nits upperend.

The disk 21 will be screwed into the upper end of the coupling 19 either with the flag pole upright as in Fig. 5 or with the flag 17 and pole 16 housed as in Fig. 6 to protect them against the weather.

The design and material used make it possible to manufacture the improved stand cheaply. It is entirely of metal with a low center of gravity so as to give it great stability against the wind and accidental blows, and has a wide base when in use. When the feet are folded and the flag housed it makes a small pa-ckage,-convenie nt for transportation and storage.

Various modifications may be made by 7 those skilled in the art without-,"departing.

follow- I from the invention as defined in the ing Claims.

What I claim is: 1. A portable stand'ofthe character described comprising a hollow column threaded externally at its lower end, a hub having separate pivot pin being spaced from each respective surface a distance substantially ecppal to half the depth of said feet so that w en the latter are swung up to collapsed position they will be seated against such sur face so as to prevent free movement of the feet about said pivot pins.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

JOHN L. LUFKIN.

threads for engagement with the threaded end of said column and having a plurality ofradially extending sockets, ears disposed on opposite sides of said sockets and carrying pivots feet carried between said ears havin .their inner ends slidably engaging said soc ets, the feet having longitudinal slots through which said pivots pass'and a spring H V engaging each foot and its pivot and tending when the foot is swung down to push it into the socket and whenthe foot is swung up to push its lower extremity acrossthe length of the socket so as to lock it in the collapsed position. V c I 2. A portable standof the character described comprising a tubular column having external threads at its lower end and internalthreads at its upper end, a hubin screw threaded engagement with the lower end of the column, :said hub having radial sockets and outward ears carrying pivots, feet carried between the ears and having longitudinal slots through whichsthe pivots pass, a spring engaging ea-ch-footand its pivot and tending whenthe foot is swung down to push it into the socket and when the footis swung topushits lower portion across the length 0 the socket soaslto lockit in position, the. 7

upper internal threaded ext-remity of said c column bein adapted to coactiwith threads on a fitting or supporting asignal. 7

Y3. 'A 'portable signal/stand of the character described having a column and a hub at the lower end thereof having 'socketsand outward ears carrying pivots, feet carried between ,the ears and adapted to be swung up close to the column for transportation and to be'swung'down to provide an extended base, each foot having a slot therein through which the respective pivots pass, each .slot te minating in .a vertical surface -between%s aid ears,-the lower portion of each slot .being beveled. downwardly and outwardly, each 

